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3 unusual facts about Walter Norris Congreve


Walter Norris Congreve

His younger son Geoffrey Cecil Congreve was created a baronet, of Congreve in the County of Stafford, in July 1927 (see Congreve baronets).

At his request, he was buried at sea in the channel between the coast and Filfla Island; there is a small monument to him on the coast between Hamrija Tower and the prehistoric site of Mnajdra; the channel between Malta and Filfla is unofficially known as Congreve Channel (the official name is 'Il-Fliegu ta' Filfla').

West Felton

Boer War Victoria Cross winner General Sir Walter Congreve had his home at West Felton Grange from 1903 to 1924, with his son William, who was killed in World War I when he also, posthumously, received the VC.


Colenso, KwaZulu-Natal

Victoria Crosses were awarded to William Babtie, Walter Norris Congreve (whose son also won a VC), George Ravenhill (VC later forfeited), Hamilton Lyster Reed, Freddy Roberts, son of Lord Roberts VC (posthumous) and Harry Norton Schofield for gallantry during the battle.

Filfla

On the Maltese coast opposite Filfla are the archeological sites of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, the Hamrija Tower (one of 13 watchtowers that Martin de Redin built around the coast of Malta), and a memorial to Walter Norris Congreve, one of Malta's British governors, who was buried at sea in the channel between the island and Malta.


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